Machining Techniques Dimensions, Tolerance, and Measurement Available Tools

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Why Machine Stuff? Research is by definition “off-road”Research is by definition “off-road” –frontier work into the unknown You can’t just buy all the partsYou can’t just buy all the parts –mounting adapter between laser and telescope –first-ever cryogenic image slicer Although there are some exceptionsAlthough there are some exceptions –optical work often uses “tinker toy” mounts, optical components, and lasers –cryogenics often use a standard array of parts –biology, chemistry tend to use standardized lab equipment Often you have to design and manufacture your own custom partsOften you have to design and manufacture your own custom parts –learning about the capabilities will inform your design –otherwise designs may be impractical or expensive

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Critical Information If you ask a machinist to make you a widget, they’ll ask:If you ask a machinist to make you a widget, they’ll ask: –what are the dimensions? –what are the tolerances? huge impact on time/cost –what is the material? impacts ease of machining –how many do you want? –when do you need it/them? –what budget does this go on? at $50 to $80 an hour, you’d best be prepared to pay! We’ll focus on the first two itemsWe’ll focus on the first two items

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Dimensions You want to make a part that looks like the one aboveYou want to make a part that looks like the one above How many dimensions need to be specified?How many dimensions need to be specified? –each linear dimension –each hole diameter (or thread type) –2-d location of each hole –total: 22 numbers (7 linear, 5 holes, 10 hole positions)

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121;

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Notes on previous drawing Some economy is used in dimensioningSome economy is used in dimensioning –repeated Φ0.129 diameter holes use 4  to denote 4 places 4  1 –connected center marks on holes allow single dimension 8  4 Numbers in parentheses are for reference (redundant)Numbers in parentheses are for reference (redundant) Dimension count:Dimension count: –16 numbers on page 6 linear plus 2 reference (don’t count) 6 hole position, representing 10 2 hole descriptors, representing 5 –total information: 21 numbers (equal height of tabs implied) note: depth mark on holes is senselessnote: depth mark on holes is senseless –artifact of the way it was made in SolidWorks

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Standard views In American (ANSI) standard, each view relates to the others on the page such that:In American (ANSI) standard, each view relates to the others on the page such that: –pick the “main” view –a view presented on the right of the main view is what that part would look like if you looked at the part from the right side of the main view –a view above the main view is how the part looks from above the main view –etc. The examples on the right come from a good page:The examples on the right come from a good page: – The international (ISO) standard is exactly opposite!!The international (ISO) standard is exactly opposite!!

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Tolerances From the previous drawing, we see useful information in the title blockFrom the previous drawing, we see useful information in the title block –made from aluminum, only one, to be anodized (relevant for threads) –dimensions in inches; trust numbers, not drawing scale –.XX values held to inches –.XXX values held to inches

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Another example

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121;

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; A closer look; #1 New features: –radius spec. –angular spec. –counterbore spec. –detail (A) notation Note different tolerances, alloy specification

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; A closer look; #2 New features:New features: –depth spec. for tapped hole –countersink spec. –hidden lines (dashed)

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Machining The primary tools in a machine shop:The primary tools in a machine shop: –lathe: for cylindrically symmetric parts part rotates, tool on x-y stage –milling machine (or mill): rectangular parts, hole patterns spindle rotates tool, part on x-y-z stage –drill press: for low precision or chasing pilot holes like a mill, except no fine motion control, thus no side-cut capability (a matter of holding strength as well as motion) –bandsaw: for roughing out stock circular band of a saw blade makes for a continuous “hack saw” –sandpaper, files, granite block –grinding wheel (make lathe tools, diamond pins) –measurement equipment

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; The Lathe

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Lathe Capabilities Precision outer diameterPrecision outer diameter Precision inner diameterPrecision inner diameter Stepped and angled transitionsStepped and angled transitions –can drive tool at angle other than 90  –with numerical control, arbitrary profiles possible Facing offFacing off –flat, or even conical Threading (though complicated, advanced skill)Threading (though complicated, advanced skill) –outer thread –inner thread –complete control over pitch, multi-thread, etc. BoringBoring –usually with drill bit (possibly followed by reamer) in tail stock –but can use boring bar to make larger holes

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Lathe Tools The canonical lathe tool: dimensions depend on material being worked

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Lathe Tools, continued lathe tools are usually shaped by the machinist using a grinding wheel a “boring bar” lets you get deep inside a part for making an inner diameter (for holes larger than available drill bits & reamers)

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; “A Rudimentary Lathe”

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; The Milling Machine

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Milling Machine Capabilities Surfacing/ShapingSurfacing/Shaping –fly cutting; facing edges PocketsPockets –tightness of corners depends on diameter of bit SlotsSlots Hole PatternsHole Patterns –with table encoders, easily get to inch (25 microns) With numerical control, arbitrary shapes/cutoutsWith numerical control, arbitrary shapes/cutouts –gets around etch-a-sketch problem: can draw circles, etc.! Simple and Complex AnglesSimple and Complex Angles Boring (can use boring bar here, too)Boring (can use boring bar here, too)

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Mill Bits square end-mills are the workhorse bits: pockets slots edge trim facing ball-end mills make rounded pockets or spherical pockets; also fillets corner-rounders form rounded corners! conical end-mill for chamfers This device holds a lathe- like tool bit to become a fly-cutter, for surfacing large flat faces graphics from McMaster Carr online catalog:

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Drills and Reamers graphics from McMaster Carr online catalog: standard “jobber” drill: will flex/walk, follow pilot stub drill for less walk/greater rigidity reamers (straight or spiral) finish off hole (last several thousandths) precise hole diameter for insertion of dowel pins, bearings, etc. plunge while spinning, extract still countersink: for screw heads & deburring hole center drill establishes hole position with no walk

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Drilling Practices Drills come in fractional inches, metric, and a standard wire gauge indexDrills come in fractional inches, metric, and a standard wire gauge index –wire gauge index is most common in U.S.: most finely graded –see Drills walk when pushed into unbroken surfaceDrills walk when pushed into unbroken surface –must use a punch to establish a conical defect for drill to find –or use a center drill (no walk) to get the hole started –stub drills better than jobber, but not as good as center drill Use pilot hole for larger holesUse pilot hole for larger holes –especially if precision important: use several steps so drills primarily working on walls

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Taps and Dies: making threads some graphics from McMaster Carr online catalog: Taps thread holes, after pre-drilling to the specified diameter Taper tap for most applications Plug tap for getting more thread in bottomed hole –preferably after taper already run Bottom tap for getting as many threads as possible in bottomed hole –preferably after plug already run Dies for outside thread: seldom used –buy your screws & threaded rod!!

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Example Procedure Final part outer dimensions are   0.100Final part outer dimensions are   –so find 1/8-inch aluminum stock and cut on bandsaw to something bigger than  (1 5/8 by 13/16) –de-burr edges with file or belt sander Establish outer dimensionsEstablish outer dimensions –get dimension put in mill table vice on parallels, part sticking about 0.1 inches above jaws

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Procedure, cont. end-mill exposed (up-facing) face until all low spots gone, taking multiple passes at about inches per pass de-burr and rotate 180  in jaw about horizontal axis end-mill new side (opposite first) until low spots gone de-burr and measure; figure out amount remaining to cut place back in vice, either finished side up bring up knee until end-mill just touches and set knee dial to zero make successive passes, bringing up knee until the prescribed amount has been removed measure to make sure –get 1.55 dimension place in jaw with large face up, rough edge extending beyond jaw side use side of end-mill to shave edge; traveling in direction of cut (conventional cut) once low spots done, cut opposite direction for smooth finish (climb cut) de-burr, and rotate 180  about vertical axis, rough edge sticking out smooth out this surface, measure (maybe even in place), and do final trims to bring it into spec.; de-burr

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Procedure, cont. –get dimension center in jaw, with guaranteed > above jaw: machining into vice is very bad: NEVER let the tool touch the jaw! use large-ish end-mill or even fly-cutter to take down surface by 0.010; take out and de-burr flip part to remove other side (skin) by an additional 0.015, measuring before final cut (in place, if possible) Establish hole patternEstablish hole pattern –leaving in place, establish coordinate origin use edge-finder to get edge positions, resetting encoders to zero at edge-finder jump remember to account for edge-finder radius (need to re- zero at in appropriate direction) –center drill each hole position use small center drill, in collet if possible (rather than chuck) at each coordinate pair, run in center drill as far as you can without exceeding final hole size

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Procedure, cont. –drill holes use #30 drill on four holes use #29 drill for 8-32 pre-tap –see –take part out and de-burr holes (with countersink in hand) Cut two notches outCut two notches out –place part in vice so that the tab that will remain is completely free of vice jaws use edge-finder to establish left-right origin measure end-mill diameter carefully (maximum extent of teeth) work out x-positions corresponding to full cut on both sides bring up knee to touch material, set to zero with end-mill off to side, bring up knee inches (usu turns of crank)

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Procedure, cont. begin swiping at a time off of edges until you are from designated stopping points move end-mill to side so that final travel will be against blade direction for best finish (climb cut) bring up knee by final go final in x-direction for final cut make final cut, then walk away in x to finish bottom cut end-mills cannot be plunged unless material at center of end- mill is already cleared out: they aren’t drills Tap 8-32 hole with taper tapTap 8-32 hole with taper tap Final de-burr, final measurement checkFinal de-burr, final measurement check Clean part, check fit to mating piece(s)Clean part, check fit to mating piece(s)

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Measurement Tools General Purpose CaliperGeneral Purpose Caliper MicrometerMicrometer –reading a micrometer: Dial IndicatorDial Indicator Depth MicrometersDepth Micrometers Cleaning is a very important part of measurementCleaning is a very important part of measurement

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Intro to SolidWorks

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; SolidWorks Overview SolidWorks is a totally fantastic design package that allows:SolidWorks is a totally fantastic design package that allows: –full 3-D “virtual” construction/machining –excellent visualization: rendering and rotation –feedback on when enough dimensions are established –parameters such as volume, mass, etc. –conversion from 3-D to 2-D machine drawings –assembly of individual parts into full assemblies –warnings on interferences between parts in assemblies Typical sequence:Typical sequence: –2-D sketch in some reference plane, with dimensions –extrude sketch into 3-D –sketches on surface, followed by extrude or cut, etc.

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Our Exposure to SolidWorks Computers in lab have SolidWorks on themComputers in lab have SolidWorks on them Pick a machining piece you want to modelPick a machining piece you want to model –or find/dream-up your own, but be careful to pick appropriate difficulty level –if it’s your own creation, you must describe its purpose Measure relevant dimensions of piece to modelMeasure relevant dimensions of piece to model Go through SW online tutorials until you have enough knowledge to make your 3-D modelGo through SW online tutorials until you have enough knowledge to make your 3-D model Make 3-D model, and turn this into 2-D machine drawingMake 3-D model, and turn this into 2-D machine drawing –with dimensions in “design” units and appropriate tolerances

Winter 2012 UCSD: Physics 121; Assignments Reading from Chapter 1:Reading from Chapter 1: –(black = 3 rd ed.; red = 4 th ) –sec. 1.1 except 1.1.8; sec. 1.1 except –sec. 1.2; secs 1.2, 1.3 –secs, 1.3.4–1.3.8; secs 1.4.1–1.4.4, –sec. 1.4;sec 1.5 SolidWorks Tutorial & part emulation, including:SolidWorks Tutorial & part emulation, including: –3-D part, matching measurements –2-D drawing a machinist would enjoy –description of part function, if not a pre-made part –brief write-up including difficulties overcome, estimated mass (from SolidWorks model), and a brief description of how one would make the part—roughly at level of second indentation (dash) in lecture detail of the example part –see website for (definitive) lab instructions/details